Coraline Title Sequence

This is a hand-crafted title sequence inspired by Coraline. Through type, texture, subtle handmade illustrations and color, the sequence is designed as an opening title, setting the stage for the film by immersing the viewer into its unsettling yet whimsical world.

Project: Motion Design/Title Sequence

Designer: Estefania Aguilar

Tools: Illustrator, After Effects

Inspiration & Approach

What inspires me most in Coraline is the stop-motion animation. Every time I watch it, I notice new details in each frame, and knowing that every prop, set, and character was physically made by artists makes the film feel even more meaningful. It shows patience, care, and intention in every detail.

My approach was to reflect that same stop-motion process in my own design by creating something that feels handmade and tactile. Instead of relying on overly polished or digital-looking motion, I focused on subtle imperfections and crafted details to echo the physical nature of the film

The project began with research and visual references from the film, followed by sketching. Storyboarding helped define how the sequence would flow and how the typography choices would behave on screen.

I created the “Coraline” title by hand using clay, then brought it into Photoshop to adjust the color and lighting so it blended more naturally into the sequence.

Reflection

This project is part of my new journey with After Effects. It gave me the opportunity to experiment with a style I have admired since entering the creative world: stop motion. Through this project, I was able to learn new editing techniques in After Effects while also organizing my ideas through sketches and storyboards, which helped guide me toward the final result.

I enjoyed combining my drawing skills with motion design and incorporating them into a title sequence for one of my favorite films. I also enjoyed choosing a typeface that visually represented the movie, and exploring visuals that enhanced the typography.

One of my favorite parts of the process was stepping outside of my comfort zone by creating the movie title with clay and experimenting with texture and handmade elements.

Overall, this project taught me the importance of experimentation and creative exploration. Looking back, one thing I would continue developing is the transitions between credits, especially playing more with fade-ins and fade-outs to create smoother pacing throughout the sequence.